Introducing Ulcca: Meet GFE’s New Chief Program Officer

Virtual - Join us for a conversation between education rabble rouser Nora Flood from the Wend Collective and Grantmakers for Education’s new chief program officer, Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen. Ulcca is a first-generation college graduate whose story reflects many facets of America’s racial, social and economic complexity. She brings to this new role those personal experiences as well as insights from a career that has spanned the classroom, nonprofit, public and philanthropic sectors. She is a self-described futurist in sensibility if not training, and the author of the forthcoming book, The Future of Smart. Ulcca is excited to design and execute programming that provides GFE members with compelling support in shaping both their philanthropic vision and their grantmaking approaches at this unique juncture in American education. Conversation will be followed by Q&A and an opportunity for funders to brainstorm program ideas with Ulcca.

This event is intended for members and education grantmakers. There is no cost to attend this Grantmakers for Education program.

Speakers:

Ulcca Joshi Hansen
Chief Program Officer
Grantmakers for Education

Ulcca has been an educator for over 20 years, working to transform education to enable all students to achieve their unique potential.

An English language learner who is first in her family to graduate from college, Ulcca is committed to an expanded view of education’s purpose and ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education. She believes in systemic change to support approaches that reflect the science of human development and learning and is dedicated to bringing the voices of diverse learners and communities to these conversations.

Ulcca began her career as an elementary teacher and has led nonprofit programs, conducted research, engaged in advocacy and shaped policy across the PK-25 continuum. She understands the power of philanthropy and believes that catalyzing the wisdom of collective networks is the best path to impact. Her book, The Future of Smart, will be released in Fall 2021. Ulcca earned a Ph.D. from Oxford University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Nora Flood
Education Rabble Rouser
Wend Collective

Nora is an education rabble rouser for the Wend Collective, a social impact fund that supports learner-centered, student fit experiences for all youth.  Nora joined Wend after serving for nine years at the Colorado League of Charter Schools, first as the vice president of school services and then as president. Nora has over thirty years of experience in education as a teacher and principal in international, traditional public, charter public, and private schools.  She was the co-founder of The Classical Academy in Minneapolis, served as head of school of Madison Country Day School and as director of Sonoma Charter School.  Nora’s passion is ensuring equity, access and opportunity for all families to meet their priorities and their children’s needs.  Her work supports innovative school and program designs, collaborating with local, state, national and international pedagogues and practitioners, and exploring partnerships with like-minded organizations to create systems change from the bottom up.